Recovery

Posted , 7 users are following.

I had operation to repair rectocele and cystocele prolapsed 12 days ago under epidural.  DIscharged home the next day.  PAin a little better today but anxious to start exercising and stop putting on weight.  DOing walking and pelvic floor exercises.  WHen can I go back to work and when can I start doing slow exercise bike riding?

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Posted

    I'm 17 days post op and similar to you i'd like to start exercising or at least doing more as the weight gain is getting me down although I'm not sure if some of it is just bloating? Does that happen after this type of surgery?? Anyhow I've been signed off for four weeks and at the moment I can not imagine sitting at a desk for eight hrs s day two weeks today! Whilst I have minimal discomfort, I can't sit for long periods of time, I also can't imagine sitting on a bike, I'd personally probably wait three months for that type of exercise. Walking is probably best for you right now if you can manage it X
  • Posted

    I'm 17 days post op and similar to you if like to start exercising or at least doing more as the weight gain is getting me down although I'm not sure if some of it is just bloating? Does that happen after this type of surgery?? Anyhow I've been signed off for four weeks and at the moment I can not imagine sitting at a desk for eight hrs 8 day two weeks today! Whilst I have minimal discomfort, I can't sit for long periods of time, I also can't imagine sitting on a bike, I'd personally probably wait three months for that type of exercise. Walking is probably best for you right now if you can manage it x
  • Posted

    Hi Rita,

    You need to remeber you've had major surgery and need to heal your inside before you can work on the outside and thinking about starting to exercise and not putting your surgery repairs at risk.

    Please refer to the pinned documents on the chat's main paige they will help you.

    I think you might need to leave the bike riding until after 12 weeks, as you are not even allowed to push a hoover/shopping trolley until then so a bike would be much heavier. 

    Walking needs to start slowly and only a little way and boy will you know what i mean once you've tried. I felt like i'd run a marathon when i walked around my street the first time. you need to gradually build up your walking when you start.

    Please do not try to run before you can walk, you do not want to go through all that major surgery only to repeat it again just because you were keen to loose weight.

    Pelvic floor exercises are another problem some consultants like mine said do them as soon as you can, others say leave it until after 6 weeks, i think you will need to give your consultants secretary a ring and see if they have any advice. 

    Going back to work and how quickly depends what job you do and how physical it is. I do a physical job, had a rectocele repair and another procedure 12 weeks ago unfortunatley at 9 weeks i had complications so my doctor had  signed me off until today, but now has given me 2 more weeks to get over the complication so it really depends on the individual and their job. but you probably are looking at a minimum of 6-12 weeks off.

    I have been able to get back swimming at about 7 weeks once the stitches have disolved. which has made such a massive difference getting my tone and fitness back (I am a long distance swimmer and swim 3-4 times a week pre op) but at the moment i'm managing about a mile each time which is probably half what i am used to but I'm not pushing myself and listening to my body which determins if i swim that distance or a quick up and down a few times because each day is different.

    I know it's boring and frustrating, most of us have experienced this but right now you are very luck its summer and you can get out in the garden for fresh air and a bit of sun on your skin, when I had my Op it was March, freezing cold, dark and very depressing.

    Please take care, and keep us informed how you are doing. I'm sure you will get a few more comments, we are a good bunch on here.

    love Mik x

    • Posted

      Thanks Mik... good words of wisdom.i will do my walk aftr lunch when i have rested more and not so sore
  • Posted

    A lot of these questions can only be answe by your Urogynaecologist but if you look at the Pinned Post on the home page if the Genitourinary forum it gives you answers about excercise. As for going back to work a lot depends on your job and the type and amount of sutures used so you should ask your GP or your Urogynaecologist at your post op check. Remember there's excellent advice on the Pinned Post but for the first 2 weeks rest is extremely important to give your sutures time to start the healing process.
  • Posted

    Hello. I had a rectocele repair 7 weeks ago today and I too am reasonabley fit and healthy and was anxious to get back to my usual whizzy routine. Bottom line (literally!!) is - you can't!

    Do a little bit, stop before you think you should. If I were to do this again I would rest more and not push myself. Although I haven't done myself any damage I don't think by making myself do things I've aided my recovery. I was signed off work for 6 weeks then a further 2 by the GP - which I did need. My job does involve lifting , driving and being able to get up and down from the floor but even if I had a desk job I wasn't fit to go back to work after 6 weeks.

    The weight gain - have you really put on weight or do you just feel 'flobby' because you are not moving so much? After 17 days I don't think you could have put on that much weight. I was careful about what I ate as I was concious that I was not moving so much. Not helped by visitors bringing me chocolate! 

    Walk slowly, don't bend, lift or stretch. For me it was the stretching up that I could feel the worse - and still do. Standing can be a problem as gravity takes effect! Walking for me was never a problem and I could walk quite far reasonably soon. But do be careful. I don't know about the bike riding - walking is probably better!

    • Posted

      You lovly ladies are all right.. im just a little frustrated.
    • Posted

      I think if you are used to being active it is very, very hard indeed! Also because there is no visible wound it's easy to think you are ok. I had some surgery on my foot a few years ago. A five inch open wound with stitches, had to spend 90% of the time with my feet above my heart to stop swelling. As soon as I stod up I had a purple melon at the end of my leg instead of a foot! It was much easier to rest. This was probably a much more "serious" operation and yet I am more frustrated - mainly because I feel as though I should be better and doing something. Don't - take up knitting or something. The amount I have crocheted in the last few weeks is amazing!!
    • Posted

      It is hard - I am surrounded by a family of gym enthusiasts ( my daughter is an instructor) and much of my social life was built around my gym friends. My husband even asked me as we drive back from hospital after the op when I would be back to my normal gym activity ! I had to say, probably never, not doing the sort of things I did before. I will go swimming when I feel it is appropriate and do some strength building and cardio at some point but oh so very carefully. I was surprised when the registrar , next morning from op, said I could ride a bike after 6 weeks-  he took it back when he saw my raised eyebrow. I had rectocele, enterocele and perineal reinforcement and the thought of going on a bike soon ( am 5 weeks now) is boggling. My daughter is actually the first, atm, to  remind me not to lift or overdo things - she teaches a  post natal excercise class so is very pelvic floor aware !
  • Posted

    Hi Rita,

    I had the same repairs and it took me almost the full 12 weeks to recover, back at work but still limiting what I can do, still resting lots and taking things carefully.

    You can't hurry this recovery otherwise you end up prolapsed again and having to under go more surgery, so please don't be in such a big hurry.

    Take progress slowly a little at a time, your body tells you when you have overdone things, throbbing wounds and feels heavy swollen. So listen to your body and please don't overdo things.

    We all recover at different rates, you will have to start with short walks (5 mins) and build up to 2x 20 min walks by 6 weeks post op, they say no low impact till much later, usually swimming first.

    Weight bearing starts with no more than a cup of tea, working up to a litre at 6 weeks and gradual increase to not more than 3 litre by 12 weeks. Having said that at almost 14 weeks I can lift 2 litres but could not continually carry that weight.

    No hoovering or mopping, no ironing or heavy wet washing, during early weeks of recovery, those who recover the best do nothing for 12 weeks.

    Good luck,

    And look after yourself.

    Phil x☺

    • Posted

      Took everyones advice yesterday. Sat on a stool in the kitchen and lunch then did a very slow walk to some letters. Lay on bed when i got in and woke up 2.5hrs later.

    • Posted

      Well done, you must have needed your little nap. Keep up your good work x
    • Posted

      That's great Rita. Just a little at a time and see how it goes.

      Healing hugs ,

      Phyl x☺

    • Posted

      That's great Rita, just a little every day and see how it goes!

      Healing hugs,

      Phyl x☺

    • Posted

      Sorry posted twice, didn't think 1st one went couldn't find it!

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